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The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, today (July 19) met the chairmen and vice-chairmen of 18 District Councils and attended meetings of the Kwun Tong and Kowloon City District Councils to listen to community views on various district issues.
"To ensure that the Government is responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people in the district, the Government must reach out to the community to listen to their views and feel the social pulse," Mr Tsang said.
At today's meeting with the chairmen and vice-chairmen, Mr Tsang said the Government cherished the valuable functions and contributions of the District Councils.
"I am looking forward to establishing closer cooperation with the District Councils. I sincerely hope that we can continue to work together for the well-being of the people in the districts," he said.
He said the Government attached great importance on enhancement of district work to ensure that policies were implemented at district level and the specific needs of individual districts could be met.
"Under the principle of "people-based governance", we will continue to do our utmost to strengthen district administration," he said.
At the meeting, Mr Tsang also briefly introduced the work plan of the Home Affairs Bureau and Home Affairs Department including the involvement of District Councils in managing district facilities.
He will continue to attend District Council meetings and visit various districts in the coming few months to listen to the views of council members as well as the general public, and to see for himself the development and facilities in these districts.
Ends/Thursday, July 19, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:06
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